nkl1201

I haven't told that many people because I could instantly feel the negativity brewing. I've had several hostile comments, "You're not old enough," (what, you want me to get older and more unhealthy before I change??) Also had people tell me that THEY are OK with it because it is adjustable...(like I give a care what YOU think is OK with MY body?!?!) Sadly, I am in the process of losing a good friend (who happens to be very heavy). She was one of the few friends I confided in pre-operatively about my decision to get banded. She never called to check on me during the difficult liquid stage, never called to see how the surgery went (claimed she mixed up the date), and NEVER has even asked once how I am feeling (I am 3 weeks post-op). She is practically avoiding me...today I ran into her and she merely smiled. Other people that I don't know as well have asked how I am feeling (I don't make the band the topic of any conversations or anything, its just that well-mannered people typically will ask in passing how I am). She REFUSES to acknowledge that I have been banded and because of her complete avoidance of the subject, I have come to realize that it makes her very upset..I keep losing and she keeps gaining. I tried to bring it up once to make it clear that it wont affect our friendship, but she blew me off. Unfortunately, I can't continue to have someone in my life who is so jealous/angry/betrayed even by my WLS that she avoids me and pretends nothing ever happened. Sad.

Hi! I was banded on the 13th. Did 1 week of liquids pre-op, 1 week of liquids post-op, and I am now on week 2 of soft foods. Except for feeling pretty horrible for the first week and a half, everything is great now. My shoulder pain was excruciating (I also had a small hiatal hernia repaired at the same time). I have lost about 20lbs since I started my liquids and had my husband hide the scale about 2 days ago because I started getting obsessive (weighing multiple times a day). Plus it's my TOM, so I didn't want to even bother. I lost about 20lbs before liquids and I was 200.6 last time I checked (I started at 240.4). I am REALLY hoping to be in onederland next time I weigh myself. Haven't seen a number close to it in a LONG time! Except for being careful to not gulp my beverages (which makes me belch and I get a bit of a pain on the left side of my chest), everything is a-OK. I'm still getting used to the not drinking and eating thing, but my surgeon allows me to drink up until the first bite and then no more liquids for an hour, so it isn't that bad. My appetite has certainly returned and I am looking forward to my first fill which will be in 2 weeks. I have 2 TINY incisions and then my navel incision (I had what is called single-incision laparoscopic surgery...even though there is more than 1 incision). I chose this for cosmetic reasons...I would like to be able to wear a bikini someday (feels like just a dream lol). My port is inserted behind my navel and the other two incisions were for the liver retractor and the light source. I just got the OK to put Mederma scar gel on the small ones..waiting a couple more days for the navel one as it is taking a bit longer to heal. Nice to "meet" you all!

Hi! This is the precise reason I logged onto the boards this am. I'm only 10 days post op, lost 10lbs on my one week liquids, and have lost 16lbs total (liquid+post op) in 17 days. Yesterday, I felt as is if I ate too much. My hunger is back with voracity, and I'm having no problem with any soft foods going down. I have to stop myself way before I am full, and I'm freaking out a bit. The first week post-op I had no appetite. I feel like I don't know how much I should be eating (since I have no restriction). I am 1.8lbs "heavier" than yesterday. Unfortunately, instead of letting it roll off my back, I totally freaked out. It's only 8am and my day has started off so badly because of the damn scale. N

Kudos to you! I am a wheaten owner and I applaud your efforts. Best of luck:)

My surgeon, Dr. Brad Watkins, called me in the late afternoon the day of my surgery. I really appreciated it! I believe we spoke for about 5 minutes, and he answered the few questions that I had.

I found them at GNC. The brand I have is Tap Out-Protein Slam.

I had a bra on the next day. There is about 1 inch between my highest incision and where the bra ends. I'm just careful about how I put it on. I have small band-aids over the white "steri-strips." I was told I could take the band-aids off 24 hrs after if I want (only one is off so far, the rest look fine so I haven't messed with them.) I was told to remove the white steri-strips two weeks after surgery, but if they fall off sooner, they said don't worry about it. I'm allowed to put scar gel (Mederma) on as soon as the steri-strips come off. I have dissolvable sutures. As for the protein shot, I bought some grape looking protein shot in a tube and haven't tried it yet. I'm not scared about it per se, just haven't wanted to try it yet.

I arrived at the same-day surgery center at 6, was taken back by the nurses (alone) at around 6:30, and was able to see my husband around 10:30 (when I was discharged). They didn't allow family past the waiting room, so he spent the time napping in the car and having a coffee at Starbucks right next door. The whole situation was so quick there was not even any time to get nervous, etc. Same with me...at first I was just so surprised that family wasn't allowed in "the back," but then I was pretty much banded and in recovery in what seemed like no time.

ebeeze- You can do it! Step away from the salmon You will feel so much better in the end when you can truly say that you were 100% compliant pre-operatively! Keep your chin up:) Nora

Hey! I am just about 48 hours post-op and things have been bearable-some moments are worse than others. I believe I am having more pain because of the hiatal hernia that they repaired at the same time as inserting the band. I won't lie and say I have been without pain-I have been in pain, but I can handle it..it does get better as time goes on. Even with experiencing all the physical aches and pains, I would go ahead and do this all over again in a heart beat. I have had worse "injuries" (pain-wise) that this surgery. You can do it! Good luck:) Nora

Hi- So sorry to hear of your disappointing news. I am a bit puzzled, as I have never heard that there is any "special" anesthesia just for lap band. Has anyone else heard of this? I was anesthetized for my procedure in the same way as for almost all other surgeries. Did they explain what is different about this? Do you still feel comfortable with the surgeon/facility that you have chosen? If not, perhaps you still have time to find other options? Again, so sorry for the set-back. It must be very frustrating for you. Please keep your chin up and don't let someone else's mistake get you down. Perhaps there is something good to be learned from this? Maybe you can take the opportunity to get a "second opinion" if you aren't convinced that this is the right surgeon/clinic/program for you. I know how much you must want to be banded (it would have been very difficult to talk me out of it so close to surgery), but make sure you are comfortable with everything and have had all your questions satisfactorily answered before you take the plunge. If you don't like the answers you are getting from your current surgeon's office, don't hesitate to shop around for a better match. In the meantime, try to focus on the positive, no matter how difficult that may be. I'm sure everything will turn out for the better soon. --Nora--

Hi- Originally, I also was going to go with Day One (Oswego office-Dr. Woodard), but decided I wasn't ready at the time (this was last fall). My experience with Dr. Watkins in Oak Brook, however, has been fantastic. The entire self-pay process was extremely organized and I feel that the price was very competitive (though to me, quality of care and technical expertise can't really be defined monetarily-this is too "big" of an event to try to do just because of a "deal.") I was even able to get the SILS (single-incision laparoscopic surgery) which I wouldn't have been able to do with Dr. Woodard at the time. I had two pre-op appointments, and everything was so very thorough. I have TONS of info, from the pre-op diet, to discharge instructions, a detailed post-op nutrition plan, etc. My first appointment was on 8-16 (if I remember correctly), then I came back a week later for some pre-op work (blood, ekg, metabolic testing, etc.) and finally started my one week of pre-op liquids on 9-6-10. My surgery was this last Monday, 9-13-10. So far, I have absolutely nothing but great things to say about the entire "team" at Synchrony Chicago Weight Loss. My surgery went very smoothly, and the care I received at the Oak Brook Surgical center was actually better than any medical treatment I have received anywhere before. From the nurses to the anesthesiologist, to of course Dr. Watkins, everyone took such amazing care of me that I can't really thank them enough! Please let me know if you have any more questions. Best of luck! I don't regret this choice for an instant:smile: